HOTHORPE HILLS

As the Norse Sagas of old, a certain caution must be attached to the writings of bygone genealogists, who tended to copy the works of each other. One of their genre, Mr. Collins, sent letters to the gentry, kindly asking them to supply details of their ancestry. This less than secure practice followed on one in which heralds were bribed to invent or massage pedigrees so as to make them more grandiose. The doyen of genealogical malpractice was Mr. Burke, who supplied more ancestors stemming from ‘companions of the Conqueror’ than actually fought at Hastings. The uncertainties of genealogical enquiry can not be made to be more accurate by couching pedigrees in a pseudo- academic format, that is, by referencing them with dubious ‘authorities’. Not all that was once written is false, and it is important ‘not to throw the baby out with the bathwater’, but in so many cases such ‘babies’ were conjectures. Many researchers of the modern era do attempt to consult original source material, yet many are also content to quote ancient authorities; a matter of writing in an academic form which is bereft of academic substance.

Mr. Burke offered his conjecture that the Lancelot Bathurst of Virginia was of the Bathursts of Lechlade, Gloucestershire, on the basis that a Lancelot Bathurst of that place was of age to be he noted in Virginia; although his familial associations in England were not evident in Virginia, wherehas those of a Lancelot Bathurst of Northamptonshire most certainly were. This could have been discovered by research, something that the genealogical copyists of old neither had the the time nor inclination for.

What follows, in part, is nothing more than my own conjecture, but it is at least based on a reality that marked the period under consideration – that families within an English kinship network continued to intermarry over successive generations, and if their familial associations in England were not evident in Virginia then it is almost certain that a wrong origin of Virginia families has been ascribed.

Also, what follows is nothing more than a skimming of the genealogical surface. Any enquiry of depth into the families mentioned in this account would have to consider such obscurities as manorial records, written in obscure hands, and generally a hurdle too far for the average enquirer. It is with this caveat that what follows is offered as anything remotely substantive.

THE TRUE ORIGINS OF LAWRENCE BATHURST OF VIRGINIA (I suggest).

1. Lawrence Bathurst, d. 1549.
1.1. Edward Bathurst, b. before 1513, d. after 1558.
1.1.1. Launcelot Bathurst, b. 1529, Staplehurst, Kent, ob. Sept. 27, 1594, St. Mary Bathow, London, m. Judith Randolph, da. of Bernard Randolph, and sister of John Randolph, who m. (April 3, 1570) Isabella Lunsford, born 1553, in Wileigh, Ticehurst. Her Will, pr. October 7, 1585. John Randolph had issue: Bernard Randolph, born 1568, of Biddenden, Kent, gent., whose Will was pr. May 27, 1628, requesting ‘To my daughter Elizabeth, wife of Robert Perry, having already advanced her at her marriage with a competent portion, twenty shillings and no greater legacy’.

(The said Robert Perry was the br. of Richard Perry, 1580-1649, who m. Dunes Hicks; they being the parents of Richard Perry, collector of customs and excise, in Glasgow, 1656, and a merchant in Clonmell, Ireland, in 1657, where he had family connections, being cousin of William Perry, of Limerick, who maintained a house in Stepney. Richard’s son was Micajah Perry, Oct. 10, 1641-1721: Micajah Perry of the parish of Mary-le-Bow, London, ‘haberdasher’, received a license on Oct. 20, 1663 to marry ‘Ann Owen of the parish of St Swithin, London, spinster’; her father being Dr. Richard Owen, a distinguished clergyman, son of Cadwaladr Owen, (1562–1617), by Blanche, da. of John Roberts, younger br. to Lewis Anwyl of Park, Merionethshire. (For Owen pedigree, see footnote 1).

Isabella’s br., John Lunsford, m. Anne Apsley; their son, Thomas Lunsford, born circ. 1575 (son of Sir Thomas Lunsford and his first wife, Barbara Lewknor) m. 1. Katherine Fludd, March 7, 1598, in Greenwich, St. Alphage, Kent, their son being Sir Thomas Lunsford, about whom it was said that he had a reputation as a swaggering ruffian “who neither fears God nor man”. He witnessed the land purchase of fellow royalist emigrant, Sir Fleetwood Dormer, on 26 Dec. 1649.

Katherine Fludd was the aunt of Colonel John Fludd, b. 1603 in Chichester, Sussex, d. 1658 in Surry Co. Virginia, who m. 2. Margaret Finch, widow of William Finch, in 1624, 3. Fortune Jordan, who subsequently m. James Mills (Miles). John Flood Jr. (by a first marriage) was listed as age 44 in 1659 when he testified he was living at Thomas Gray’s house; his dau., Jane, m. Thomas Lane, son of Thomas Lane, 1635-1708, of Surry Co., who m. (1661) Elizabeth Jones, widow of Fulk Jones.

Thomas Lane Sr. was almost certainly the son of a younger brother of William Lane of Horton, Northamponshire, who appeared in the Muster of Mr. Edward Waters, Elizabeth City Co., as aged 30, who came to Virginia in the Bona Nova in 1620. William Lane m. Ann Isham, dau. of John Isham of Pitchley, and cousin of Mary Isham, wife of Sir Fleetwood Dormer.

In relation to the Lanes connection to the Perrys, Jacob Price (see hereinafter) makes a subsiduary point – many landed families of Northamptonshire, such as the Lanes, Ishams, and Washingtons, dispatched their younger sons to Virginia, in the hope of reviving family fortune. An overarching theme was that of the Civil War, in which many ‘royalist’ families sought refuge overseas.

Fortune (Jordan) Mills (Miles), a relative of Capt. George Jordan, stated, in a deposition of Sept. 1660, that “Bartholomew Owens had several times, in her hearing, spoken disparaging and scandalous words against the Commissioners and wholly against Capt. Jordan, saying he never would have justice. “Bartholomew jumped up in court, saying “I’ll say as I like to those foxes.” The commissioners advised him to “desist from these scandelous and malicious words, that he durst not say those things in the presence of these gentlemen”, but Owen answered them with “fearful oaths” to their faces and would not stop.

In March, 1661, Bartholomew Owen bought 200 acres of land from Christopher Lewis (who was probably the son of Richard Lewis and Frances Miles), which is suggestive of a kinship relationship, if the propositions that Bartholomew Owen was  kin of the Coetmors is allowed; see hereinafter. This lady was contemporary with Rowland Coetmore, mariner, who m. 2. 28 Mar. 1594, at St. Mary, Whitchapel, Dorothy, da. of Dorothy Lane, relict of William Harris, of Wapping, mariner; 3. Katherine Miles, widow of Thomas Gray of Harwich. Lowry Coetmore was probably one of Rowland’s seven sisters.

Rowland Coetmore is described as ‘of Coetmor in Llechwedd Uchaf, co. Caernarvon’, and as a son (of six) of William Coetmore and Jane Williams, and grandson of William Coetmor and Elin Pulleston. (David Faris Plantagenet Ancestry of 17th Century Colonists, pp. 73-75, 1996).

Elin Pulleston was the relict of Morris ap Ellis of Clenennau, and, therefore, ancestress of a family  of Owen, see hereinafter.

Rowland Coetmor was employed by the East India Company, being master of the ‘Royal James’, trading out of Bombay in 1618, when he and other mariners made a contribution towards the building of a new chapel at Wapping, in the parish of Stepney, London. He was warden of this chappel in 1622; a plaque there commemorates him. His Will was proved 24 Nov. 1626 (P.C.C., 125 Hele).

Such a convergence of names associated in one generation and repeated in following ones almost invariably points to the continuation of associations of an English kinship network.

In 1677, Bartholomew Owen sold his neighbour, Nicholas Meriweather, perhaps his nephew, 100 acres of land, also making him his attorney. On 31 Jan. 1677, Johanna, Bartholomew’s wife, was made administrator of his estate. Four children were named: Robert, Katherine, William, and Thomas. The Will of Christopher Lewis, dated 1 Sept. 1673, makes small bequests Godchildren: Solomon Davis, Luke Measell, and Katherine Owen).

1.1.1.1. Randolph Bathurst, m. Katherine Argall, da. of Richard Argall and Mary Scott. The Will of Henry Bathurst of Horton Kirby, co. Kent, gent., dated 1 March 1619, mentions Catherine, wife of brother Randolph Bathurst Esq.; brother Lancelot Bathurst; uncle Paule Bathurst Esq.; uncle Timothy Bathurst; cousins Samuel, Timothy, James, and Martha, ch. of uncle Timothy Bathurst; uncle Robert Bathurst; Martha ‘now wife of Thomas Browne of Horton Kirby, Esq.’, and his daughters, Martha Browne and Maryon Browne; cousin Thomas Venables and his wife; Edward Small and Joan his wife, and Martha their daughter; Brother Edward Bathurst and his son Thomas, ‘my god-son’; sister Mary, wife of brother Edward Bathurst; brother Edward ‘my diamond ring’, and his wife Mary, ‘my watch’. He bequsted to ‘the poor of Horton Kirby and S’ Mary Boshawe’, London. (P.C.C., 29 Soame).

1.1.1.1.1. Lancelot Bathurst, Alderman of St Mary Botolph, London, d. 26 Sept. 1596 (Drake 84), in the fourth generation from the first Laurence Bathurst, was the Bathurst who built a house in the parish of Bathurst, Horton Kirby, Kent, called Franks, which descended to his eldest son, Randolph. He m. Judith, da. of Barnard Randolph of London; who remar. to Sir Edward Kinaston of Otley.

THE BATHURSTS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

1.1.1.1.1.1. George Bathurst, 1587-1651, lived at Hothorpe in Northamptonshire, as dower of his wife, Elizabeth Villiers (m. 1610); da. of Edward Villiers. This large royalist family suffered greatly in the Civil War, with six of their sons being killed. (Andrew Pyle (editor), Dictionary of Seventeenth Century British Philosophers (2000), pp. 74–75).

1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Sir Edward Bathurst, born 1608/9.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Sir Thomas Bathurst of Franks, born 1628; Will proved Jan. 1689-90. (P.C.C., Exton, 29).

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Francis Bathurst, of Franks, Esq., born 1667; bur. at Horton Kirby, 8 March 1738. Will proved May 1739. (P.C.C., Henchman, 93); son Lancelot died s.p.; bur. 1 Aug. 1720. Franks was a manor in Horton Kirby, Kent, where Sir Thomas Walsingham had a mansion, and where the family of Lane had a residence.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Lancelot Bathurst, Esq. :- ‘Articles of agreement for inclosure between the freeholders of Hothorpe co. Northants (the manor of George Bathurst and his descendants), viz. (1) Launcelott Bathurst Esq. (6) Edward Marston and Mary Marston his mother'(East Sussex Record Office (ESRO), ref. Sus/A/YO606, 14 May 1666). The same tenements were associated with Edward Meriwether: ‘Edward Meriwether, plaintiff, Edward Marston, gent. and Mary, his wife, Thomas Burton and Elizabeth, his wife and Robert Wickenden otherwise Wiggenden, deforciants’ (ESRO, ref. Sus/A/U908/T35/8, 1657). Similar articles of agreement concerned Lancelot’s brothers, Henry (Northamptonshire Record Office (NRO), ref. YO 161, 20 March 1649; and Ralph, jointly with Lancelot (NRO, ref. YO 174, 1 April 1662).

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.2.1. Mary Bathurst, m. Francis Meriwether, whose estate was admin. by Bartholomew Owen.

(1. Edward Meriwether, June 28, 1564 – October 22, 1621, of Barfreystone juxta Shepherdswell, m. (October 15, 1593) Ursula Shrubsole.
1.1. Edward Meriwether Gent, b. 1598, bur. 18 May 1647, Barfrestone, Kent (Tyler Index to Parish Registers).
1.1.1. Edward Meriwether.
1.1.2. Nicholas Meriwether of Virginia, I suggest, m. Elizabeth (Owen?).
1.1.2.1. Francis Meriwether, m. Mary Bathurst.
1.1.2.2. Nicholas Meriwether).

PERRY AND PYRANT

(The said Francis Merriwether was the brother of he who was associated with the family of Pyrant (Perient), given here: Lands of St. Pauls Parish made into precincts Sept. 24, 1708. ‘The lands of Maj. Nicholas Meriwether, James Pyrant, John Pyrant, and Jno. Giles made one precinct of which the said Nicho. Meriweather and Jno. Giles were appointed overseers. The dividing line between George Thomas, Nicholas Meriwether & James Pyrant’s land was processioned by us. James Pirant and John Pirant was present. John Pyrants land was not near the others‘ … ‘Samuel Rather of St. Paul’s Parish, Hanover Co to Richard Tyree of St. Peter’s Parish, James City Co, for 60 lbs, 200 acres in St. Paul’s Parish (Hanover) binding the lands of John Anderson Gent, late dec’d, and George Thomas late of this county, now in possession of Dannet Abney and the land formerly of Nicholas Merriweather now in the possession of James Pyrant'(1734).

James Pyrant’s sister m. William Easley, c. 1725. The Perrys intermarried with the Easleys: William Easley, Robertson Co., TN, Deed Book X, p. 233, 7 March 1828 – ‘Joseph Perry to Jane Easley, his daughter, tract on east side of Big Buzzard. 200 acres. Not to be subject to any indebtedness of Jane Easley’s husband, William Easley. Robertson Co., TN, Deed Book 7, p. 451, Jan. 9, 1851, recorded Oct. 11, 1852 – ‘William Easley and Jane his wife, Joseph P. Easley, Pleasant Easley, G. W. Easley and his wife, Nancy Easley, Louisa Easley, William J. Easley, Jr., M. Easley, John G. Easley, R. B. Easley, H. T. Easley, all of County of Macoupin, State of Illinois, to Calvin Hart of Robertson County, TN. Consideration $100 for land on east side of Big Buzzard Creek. 100 acres. William Pyrant Easley’.

The said Joseph Perry, who emigrated from Ireland, most likely had strong family connections to Micajah and Philip Perry, and Thomas Lane (the continuators of ‘Perry and Lane’, and kin of the descendants of John Perry of Woodrooff, co. Tipperary), allowing the reasonable suggestion that Joseph Perry was the son of John Perry of Cork, who, in the 1750’s, was trading extensively with the West Indies, Boston, Philadelphia, and New York).

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.3. Ralph Bathurst, a distingushed wit, according to Collins, studied divinity at Oriel Coll, Oxf., but later became a ‘Doctor of physic’, only to return to his former calling after the Restoration, becoming the King’s chaplain and President of Trinity Coll. in 1664; where he was bur. 24 June 1704, aet. 80.

RELIGION/POLITICS AS A GENEALOGICAL CONNECTOR

The Bathursts had strong association with Oriel College. A reason suggested by by Jacob Price (Perry of London, a Family and a Firm on the Seaborne Frontier, p. 19, 2010) for the association of Micajah Perry and his partner, Thomas Lane, is a common acquantance with Dr. Richard Owen of Oriel College, who married Thomas Lane and Mary Puckle in St. Swithins, in 1679. Thomas Lane’s uncle was a Fellow of Oriel College, as was Cadwaladr Owen, father of Dr. Richard Owen.

These Owens were a common thread in the weave of these families. Ipso facto, Bartholomew Owen was also a member of this family of Owen.

Thomas Lane was a younger son of Thomas Lane of Dodford, Northamptonshire, a descendant of Ralph Lane of Hogshaw & Horton, d. 1540, and Maud Parr, da. of William Parr, Lord of Horton, and kin of Sir William Lane of Glendon and Horton, d. 1615, who m. Mary Andrews, da. of Sir Thomas Andrew of Charwelton. The connection between the Bathurst and Andrews family is evidenced in an indenture counterpart of assignment between (1) Ralph Bathurst and ‘Launcellot Bathurst of London, merchant‘, and (2) George Andrews of Hothorpe, yeoman, and William Payne of Sibbertoft, yeoman, and Thomas Towers of West Haddon, yeoman, reciting that 20 June 1649 Henry Bathurst of Hothorpe, gent., did by statute Staple acknowledge a debt to George Bathurst of Hothorpe, Esq., deceased, late father of the said Henry, of £7000 payable on the feast of St James following. (NRO, ref. YO 603. 1 April 1662.

As given, Micajah Perry’s partner, Thomas Lane, m. Mary Puckle, and the Edward Bathurst who m. Mary’s sis., Susanna, was almost certainly of this branch of the Bathurst family. He was an agent for Micajah Perry in Maryland, in 1704. (Am. Col. 1st Ser.59. Lane’s Will, pr. Nov. 10, 1710, states: ‘If my wife marry again, I give her sister Susanna Bathurst and her daughter Susanna £200 apiece’. ‘Thomas Lane of St. Catherine, Coleman, London bachelor, 40, and Mary Puckle of St. Catherine Creechurch, London, spinster 20, her parents dead and she at the disposal of her uncle Gray, of same, who consents … at St. Swithin. (Wm. & Mary Col. Quar. xviii., pp. 104-105). Edward Bathurst is evidenced in Bathurst v Puckle. Nat. Arch. ref. C 9/436/15. 1697.

Micajah Perry m. Anne Owen, da. of Dr. Richard Owen.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.4. George Bathurst, B.D., d. 1644, Fellow of Trinity Coll., 1634.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.5. Benjamin Bathurst, Governor of the East India Co., 1668-1689, d. 27 April, 1704.

1.1.1.1.1.1.2. Launcelott Bathurst, 1610-1677 (P.C.C., Reeve, 10), m. 1. Anne Blatwight ‘in the parish of Wilmington Mar. 28 1637 Lanslelott Bathurst of Horton and Anne Blatwight of Willmington, maryed by Lycence from my lord of Cant’; 2. Ann Gamon: ‘Lancelot Bathurst, of Wilmington, Kent, gent, widower, and Anne Gamon of St Mary le Strand, alias Savoy, Middlesex, spinster, 27, daughter of Richard Gamon of same who consents – at St Mary, Savoy, aforesaid. 14 July 1669’.(LML).

Wilmington (par. church St Michael and All Angels) is 6 mls fr. Eltham, and 5 mls fr. S. Mary Cray. St Michael and All Angels and S. Mary Cray are in the diocese of Rochester. It is certain that this Lancelot Bathurst would have listened to sermons of Dr. Richard Owen, the renowned theologian and royalist ‘martyr’, of Eltham.

Will of Lancelot Bathurst of Barnend in the parish of Willmington, co. Kent. Dated 30 May 1672. Buried in the Church of Willmington under the same stone as beloved wife Mrs. Anne Bathurst. Leaves his capital messuage or mansion house called Barnend, with barns, stables, dove-house, cart-houses, gardens, cherry orchards, etc., to his wife Mrs Anne Bathurst, daughter of Richard Gamon, gent., for life. Failing any issue to himself and wife then the property is to go to Francis Bathurst, Esq., eldest son of his nephew Sir Thomas Bathurst of Franks in the parish of Horton Kirby, Knight, and for default of such issue then it is to go to his brother Samuel Bathurst and his heirs. Mentions brother and sister
Ward. Sister Walters and her daughter Elizabeth Dormer. Mentions his brother, Sir Edward Bathurst. Proved on London 8 Feb. 1677. (P.C.C., 10, Reeve). Where the Bathursts kin of Fleetwood Dormer?

The Will of Sir Thomas Bathurst, of Franks, in the parish of Horton Kirby, co. Kent, dated 15 May 1686, bequests his mother £20 p.a. for her lifetime out of lands, &c, in ‘Swanlie’, co. Kent; and mentions his ‘loving wife Dame Mary Bathurst’ … sons Francis Bathurst and Lancelot Bathurst, ‘and if these die without issue to his wife Mary for her life and then to the heirs male of the body of my uncle George Bathurst, deceased, and failing issue to him then to my honored cousin Sir Benjamin Bathurst and his heirs male’. Proved in London, 20 March 1687. (P.C.C., 29, Exton).

1.1.1.1.2. Edward Bathurst.

1.2.2. Paul Bathurst, Clothier, m. (1568) Elizabeth, da.. of Sir Edward Horden, bur. at Goudhurst in 1594. They had seven sons and four daughters.

1.2.2.1. William Bathurst, probably m. a sister of Robert Lunsford of Hollington, whose Will was pr. January 24, 1611. He was of the same family as Thomas Lunsford (‘of Wylie’), who m. Katherine Fludd, and very probably a cousin of John Lunsford, born 1551. (See footnote 2.).

Footnote 1.

OWEN

The received Owen pedigree is chronological problematic, with John Owen, Walsingham’s secretary, in some accounts, being made the father of Sir John Owen, loyalist commander, by a dau. or granddau. of Sir William Morris; he being b. Apr. 1542, 1st s. of Morris ap Ellis of Clenennau and Elin, da. of Sir John Puleston, (she m. 2., as given, William Coetmor); who m. (1) 28 Sept. 1556, Margaret (d. 17 Feb. 1572), da. and h. of John Wyn Lacon of Llanddyn, Llangollen, Denb. and Brogyntyn, Salop 6s. d.v.p. 3da. (1 d.v.p.); 2. 22 Aug. 1575, Elin, da. and coh. of Hugh ap Llewelyn ap Meredith of Brynddu, Llanfechell, Anglesey, wid. of John Lewis* of Chwaen Wen, Llantrisant, Anglesey, s.p.; (3) 1605, Jane, da. and h. of Rowland Puleston of Caernarvon, wid. of Sir Thomas Jones of Abermarlais, Carm., s.p. suc. fa. 1575; kntd. 23 July 1603. d. 10 Aug. 1622. sig. Will[ia]m Maurice. (History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604-1629, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris, 2010). *Perhaps of some relevance to the ancestry of Christopher Lewis of Virginia.

Walsingham took up his position in 1573, and any secretary would normally be 30 years of age, at least. John Venn (Alumni Cantabrigiensis) records a son of Robert Owen of Bodsilin, John Owen, being being born in 1543 and matriculating at Christ’s Coll., Easter 1560, and being bur. 21 March 1592. The same record clearly show his son to be John 0wen, bapt. 13 Nov. 1580.; MA from Jesus Coll. 1600, DD 1617. Chaplain of Charles I. Bishop of St Asaph, 1629-1651; impeached by Parliament for High Treason. This is at variance with the heraldic account, which has the Bishop of St Asaph being a son of Robert Owen’s br., Owen Owen. Robert Owen m., secondly, Lowry Coetmor, and a son by this marriage was likely to have been the father of Sir John Owen.

Whatever the case, such considerations are not directly relevant to the ancestry of Bartholomew Owen, yet analysis of the heraldic account of the Owens of Bodsilin places him within their context.

THE OWENS OF BODSILIN AND CLENENNAU

1. John ap Meyrick, of Bodsilin in Malltraeth, Llanfeirian, co. Carnarvon, m. Angharad, da. of Gruffydd ap Howel ap Madog ap Ieuan ap Einion, of Lleyn.
1.1. Robert Owen, of Bodsilin, m. Gwenhwyfer, da. of William ap Meredydd ap Rev. Rowland Hughes of Brynis. (See  Owen v Owen. Plaintiffs: Robert Owen, student of Lyon’s Inn, London. Defendants: Morris, Owen and Hugh ap John ap Meyricke. Subject: Life-interest of Gwenhover, late the wife of Robert ap John ap Meyryke, in messuages and lands in Trevenigan and Trewillmet. Anglesey. (Nat. Arch. ref. C 1/1458/38. 1556-1558).
1.1.1. Owen Owen of Bodsilin, m. Angharad, da. of David ap William ap Griffith, of Cochwillan.
1.1.1.1. Robert Owen of Bodsilin, fl. 1588, m 1. Anne Wynn, da. of John Wynn, of Hirdrefaig.
1.1.1.1.1. John Owen, of Bodsilin, b. 1543, matric Christ’s Col, Easter 1560, bur. 21 March 1592.
1.1.1.1. Robert Owen of Bodsilin, m. 2. Lowry Coetmor, da. of William Coetmor.
1.1.1.1.2. Robert Owen, m. Judith Holland, da. of Edward Holland.
1.1.1.1.3. William Owen of Glyn, Dwygyfylchi & Trwyn y Wylfa, m. Catherine Williams.
1.1.1.1.4. John Owen, d. 1611-2, secretary of Lord Walsingham, m. Ellen, da. of William Wynne Morris of Clenneney, she m 2. Sir Francis Eure, of Porkington.
1.1.1.1.3.1. Sir John Owen of Clenneneu, d 1666, Gocernor of Conway Castle, m. Janet Vaughan, da. of Griffith Vaughan, of Corsygedol.
1.1.1.1.3.1.1. William Owen, of Porkington and Clenneney m., in 1648, Catherine Anwill, da. of Lewis Anwill, of Park.
1.1.1.2. William Owen, fl. 1605, rector of Heneglwys.
1.1.1.3. Owen Owen, d. 1592, Archdeacon of Anglesey, rector of Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, m. Jane Griffith, da. of Robert Griffith, Constable of Carnarvon Castle. As given, he is suggested by some to be the father of John Owen, Bishop of St. Asaphs, bapt. 13 Nov. 1580, d. 16 Oct. 1651, who m. 1. Sarah Hodelow, of Burton Latimer (Northamptonshire), 2. Elizabeth Gray; 3. Elin, da. of Robert Wyn of Conway. As his uncle or father, he was described as ‘Clerk and Parson’ when he became rector of Burton Latimer in 1608, having succeeded his brother-in-law, Edward Puleston. He and his first two wives, Sarah Hodilow of Cambridge and Elizabeth Gray, had nine children baptised at Burton Latimer, four of whom died and are buried there.
1.1.1.3.1. Margaret Owen, m. Edward Puleston, of Llwyn Cnotiau.

Cambrian Quarterly, 1831: ‘Robert Owen, of Bodsilin, he was a stranger by birth in this comot, and held but very little lands from Evan Llwyd, and what he held he had from Mali, the daughter of Evan Llwyd, who was married to Llewelyn Llwyd ab Hwlcyn, who had issue Meuric, who had issue John, who had issue Robert, who had issue Owen, who had issue Robert Owen, supra, who did dwell at Bodsilin, by reason his mother had Trergd for terme of life; by reason he was secondly married to Lowry Coetmor, who once settled at Bodsilin (being but a small tenement, and an uncouth habitation) would not remove hence to Trergd, so far from her friends, though it was a better dwelling. But the most land that Robert Owen had in Uchaled was the third part of the lands of David ab William, ab Gryffydd, ab Robin, which came unto him from his mother Angharad, the daughter and coheir of David ab William, who was co-partner with her sisters Jane and Agnes, of which land Sir John Bodvil, knight, had the parte belonging unto Jane, and David Lloyd the parte belonging to Agnes. By these branches, above mentioned, every understanding man may know how many honourable and worthy personages, in the county of Caernarvon, and counties adjoining, are descended from Jarddur, and so from Helig ab Glanawg. Robert Owen’s arms quartered Jardur.

DISTINCT FAMILIES OF OWEN AS KIN

1. John Puleston, m. Catherine Stanley.
1.1. Eleanor Puleston, m. William Coetmor, fl. 1568.
1.1.1. William Coetmor, m. Jane Williams.
1.1.1.1. Rowland Coetmor, as given heretofore.
1.1.1.2. Grace Coetmor, m. Robert Vaughan.
1.1.1.2.1. Elizabeth Vaughan, m. William Owen, Rector of Llanfachreth, d. 1645.
1.1.1.3. Robert Coetmor, m. Lumley Lloyd.
1.1.1.3.1. Richard Coetmor, Mabli Anwyl, da. of William Lewis Anwyl, of Park, and Elizabeth Herbert, of Cenmaes, da. of Edward Herbert, of Cemmaes.
1.1.1.4. Lowry Coetmor, m. Robert Owen.
1.1.2. Edward Coetmor, m. Margaret Roberts, of Castellmarch, Llanbedrog, Lleyn.
1.1.2.1. Jane Coetmor, m. John Owen, Rector Of Llangybni.

ANWYL

1. Robert ap Morys, of Park, fourth son of Morris ap John ap Meredydd of Rhiwaedog, whose exploits are recorded in the History of the Gwydir Family by Sir John Wynn, fl. 1544, m. Lowry, da. of Lewis ap Ifan ap Dafydd, of Pengwern.
1.1. Lewis Anwyl, of Park, Llanfrother, d. 1605, m 1. Elizabeth, da. of Morys ap Ifan ap Sion.
1.1.1. William Lewis Anwyl, of Park, Sherif of Merionethshire, fl. 1611, m. Elizabeth Herbert, da. of Edward Herbert of Cemmaes.
1.1.1.1. Lewis Anwyl of Park, b 1596, m 1. Frances Jones, 1603-1633, da. of Sir William Jones, of Castellmarch.
1.1.1.1.1. Catherine Anwill, d. 1685, m. William Owen of Porkington and Clenennau.
1.1.1.2. Robert Anwyl, of Park, Sheriff of Merionethshire, d. 1653, m. Catherine Owen, da. of Sir John Owen of Clenennau, sister of William Owen, of Porkington.
1.2. John Roberts Esq.
1.2.1. Blanch Roberts, m. Cadwalader Owen, A. M., vicar of Llanbrynmair, and rector of Lianfechar, com. Montgomery
1.2.1.1. Dr. Richard Owen, of more anon.

The Anwyl family trace their descent from Owain Gwynedd, King of Gwynedd, 1137-70, through his sixth son, Rhodri ap Owain Gwynedd, d. 1195.

THE OWENS OF RHIWSAESON

1. David Lloyd Blayney, c. 1515-1595, m. Elizabeth Gwyn, d. 1590; da. of Lewis Gwyn (Jones), Constable of Bishop’s Castle; that is: Lewis Gwyn ap Jenkin ap Llewelyn ap Gwylim ap Rees Lloyd ap Adam (of Brecknock) ap Howell ap Einion Sai.

1.1. Lucy BLayney, m. Maurice Owen, Esq., of Rhiwsaeson, fl. 1612; that is: Morris Owen ap Richard ap Morris ap Owen. (See Mervyn Archall, A.M., The Peerage of Ireland: Or, A Genealogical History of the Present Nobility of that Kingdom, 1789). Maurice Owen was the eldest son of Richard Morris. of Rhiwsaeson, Sheriff in 1579.

1.1.1. Athelstan Owen, deputy sheriff, noted here: Owen v Herbert. Plaintiffs: Morris Owen. Defendants: Margaret Herbert and Athelstan Owen. Subject: messuages and lands in the parish of Llanbrynmair, Montgomeryshire. (Nat. Arch. ref. 2/JasI/O2/19. 1603-1612.

1.1.2. Richard Owen, M.A.

1.1.3. Rowland Owen. About 1609, Matthew Herbert, lessee of Penrhos Mill (also known as Y Felingerrig), bought a suit in the Exchequer against Rowland Owen and Hugh ap Ieuan Lloyd, being freeholders within the lordship of Cyfeiliog, owners of Melin Y Garth (Garth Mill) and Y Felin Newydd (New Mill on the Gwydol River), and who had withdrawn their own suit of mill called Penrhos Mill. Matthew Herbert was the first Herbert to live at Dolguog. His great uncle William, he first earl of Pembroke, was one of the influential members of the King’s Council of State on the accession of Edward IV. William held numerous offices which, in effect, gave in supreme control over the south and parts of North Wales. He was eventually granted the stewardship of castles, lordships and manors in Carmarthen, Cardigan, Brecknock, Pembroke and Merioneth. Matthew Herbert’s brother was Richard Herbert of Mongomery Castle who was father to the famous poet George Herbert (1593-1633) and the famous philosopher, historian and diplomatist Edward. Lord of Chirbury (1583-1648). Matthew Herbert’s father, Edward Herbert of Montgomery, was sheriff of Montgomeryshire in 1557 and 1568.

1.1.4. Cadwaladr Owen, 1562-1617, proposed by the Herberts as vicar of Llanbrynmair, matriculated at Jesus College, Oxford, Nov. 24, 1581; graduated B.A. in 1583, M.A. in 1588, and B.D. in 1603; and was elected fellow of Oriel College in 1585. In 1597, he was acting as Sir Robert Harley’s tutor at Oriel College. He was appointed to the rectory of Llanfechain in Montgomeryshire in 1601, made vicar of Llanbrynmair in the same county in 1608, and sinecure rector of the same place in 1610. He was buried at Llanfechain on 6 April 1617 (Parish Register). He is said to have been a great disputant. Wood says that he had ‘heard he was a writer,’ but knew nothing of his works.

1.1.4.1. ‘Dr. Richard Owen, son of Cadwallader Owen, sometime fellow of Oriel Coll., afterwards minister of Llanvechen in Mon meshire, was born in that county, entred into the said coll. an. 1620, aged 15 years, or thereabouts, and made fellow thereof in 1627, he being then bach. of arts. Afterwards he proceeded in that faculty, took holy orders, and in 1635 he was presented by the university of Oxon to the vicaridge of Eltham in Kent. In 1638, he resigned his fellowship, and the same year took the degree of bach. of divinity, being at that time the rector of S. Swithin‘s, London. In the beginning of the civil wars he adhered to his majesty, and was therefore thrown out of his livings, that of S. Swithins being lost in 1644-8, or thereabouts, and suffered much, for about 17 years time, for the royal cause. After the return of king Charles II. he was restored to what he had lost, became minister of S. Mary Cray in Kent, and was actually created doct. of div. of this university, and in high esteem for his holy life and conversation, for is orthodoxness in judgment, conformity to the true, ancient doctrine and discipline of the church of England, and in the former revolutions for his loyalty to his sacred majesty. He hath also translated into English all, or most of, the satyrs of Juvenal, which I have not yet seen, and hath written something of controversy. He dyed about the latter end of January in sixteen hundred and eighty and two, and was buried in the chancel of the church at Eltham before-mentioned, having had some dignity in the church.

Richard Owen was the son of Cadwalader Owen A. M. vicar of Llanbrynmair, and rector of Lianfechar, com. Montgomery, by his wife Blanch, the da. of John Roberts esq. younger brother to Lewis Anwyl of Park in com. Merion. esq. This Cadwalader Owen, who, as I think, was of Oriel coll., was in his time reputed a great disputant, and generally called by the name of sic docco. He was instituted to the sine cura of Llanbrynmair Febr. 10, 1610, being vicar before of the same place. He was also rector of Llanfechan, and (as Lewis Dwn in his herald’s visitation sayth) was a justice of the peace in com. Montgomery. He dyed in 1617. I have heard he was a writer, but what he writ, I know not. He published a Latin sermon called Paulus Multifirmis, on 1. Car. 9. 22. and perhaps others. He had some lands of inheritance from his ancestors in the parish of Tracefynydd, com. Merionith, which he sold to Sir Thomas Middleton of Chirk’. (Athenæ Oxonienses, vol. 4, Anthony Wood/Phillip Bliss, 1820). Tracefynydd is Trawsfynydd, in which land was held by the Anwyl family.

Dr. Richard Owen married, firstly, Anne, ‘his virtuous and dear wife’, who died giving birth to her tenth child on 12 March 1652; secondly, Amy Kidwell, widow of Eltham, articles of marriage dated 4 Feb. 1653, being father by her of Thomas and Amy Owen. Robert Kidwell gent., of Eltham, prob. 12 Jan. 1636 (Pile 4), relict Anne. (Index of Kent Wills). He was of Bkackheath, Bromley, and Dartford, Kent. (Nat. Arch. refs. E 115/236/105, E 115/234/3). He worked in the Royal Household.

Lyson – Inscription written by Dr. Owen.—- M. C. ‘In the middle of this chancel doe rest, waiting for the last trump, Ann the virtuous dear wife of Dr. Richard Owen, who died in childbed of their 10th, March 12, 1652-3; Richard, their eldest son, a year old, buried Mar. 24, 1641-2; Charles, their third, carried from the womb to the tomb, July 5, 1648; Edward, their fourth, who lived 27 years, grew to be a learned man, Master of Arts, Fellow of Magdalen College, in Oxford, took holy orders, a solid preacher, died of a consumption, and was buried July 15, 1678; James, their fifth, the mother’s sorrow, buried, fix months old, Sep. 27, 1653; Mary, their second daughter, buried in her 31st year, Oct. 7, 1675; Jane, their fourth, taken off in her prime, aged 20, buried Mar. 11, 1663-4, Blainch, their fifth, buried in the third year of her age, Nov. 8, 1649; Thomas, his third son by his second wife, Amy, now living, (George, the elder by her, being lost at sea in the year 1674, the great hope, joy, and grief of the parents, beloved of all, aged 23, buried April 26, 1679’.

Thus, Sir John Owen and Cadwaladr Owen were both connected to the Anwyls; ipso facto, they were of the same kinship group, and had ties in common to such as the Coetmors.

BARTHOLOMEW OWEN

Bartholomew Owen, a notorious disputant, noted in Virginia in the mid 1650’s, coinciding with the Royalist defeat in the English Civil War, and the harsh treatment of such as Sir John Owen, may have descended from a br. of Cadwaladr Owen, but was more likely to have been a nephew of Dr. Richard Owen, whose sermons he very likely attended, as the Bathursts, Lanes, and Perrys.

1. Maurice Owen, Esq., of Rhiwsaeson, fl. 1612; that is: Morris Owen ap Richard ap Morris ap Owen, m. Lucy Blayney, da. of  David Lloyd Blayney, and Elizabeth Gwyn; da. of Lewis Gwyn (Jones), Constable of Bishop’s Castle; that is: Lewis Gwyn ap Jenkin ap Llewelyn ap Gwylim ap Rees Lloyd ap Adam (of Brecknock) ap Howell ap Einion Sai.
1.1. Cadwaladr Owen, vicar of Llanbrynmair, matriculated at Jesus College, Oxford, Nov. 24, 1581; graduated B.A. in 1583, M.A. in 1588, and B.D. in 1603; and was elected fellow of Oriel College in 1585; m. Blanch, the da. of John Roberts, Esq., younger brother to Lewis Anwyl Esq., of Park, in com. Merion.
1.1.1. Dr. Richard Owen, fellow of Oriel College.
1.1.1.1. Ann Owen, m. Micajah Perry, whose partner, Thomas Lane, was married by Dr. Richard Owen.
1.1.2. … Owen.
1.1.2.1. Bartholomew Owen, who administered the estate of Francis Meriwether, husband of Mary Bathurst, niece of Ralph Bathurst, of Oriel College.

Footnote 2.

LUNSFORD

To repeat and continue:

Bernard Randolph had issue John Randolph, who m. (April 3, 1570) Isabella Lunsford, born 1553, in Wileigh, Ticehurst, East Sussex. Her Will, pr. October 7, 1585, mentions Launcelott Bathurste as an executor ‘of my late father in law Barnard Randolphe deceased’. Isabella’s br., John Lunsford, b. 1551, m. Anne Apsley; their son, Thomas Lunsford, of Wyleigh, born circ. 1575, m. (1) Katherine Fludd, March 7, 1598, in Greenwich, St. Alphage, Kent, son of Sir Thomas Lunsford and his first Barbara Lewknor.

John Lunsford and Anne Apsley were the parents of Herbert Lunsford, b. February 5, 1591 in Wileigh. Deed. August 28, 1630: Anthony Apsley, aforesd. & John his eldest son to Herbert Lunsford of East Hoadly Co. Sussex, esq. (later knighted) & William Muddle of Ewehurst Co. Sussex, esq.; Deed for the settlement of the manors aforesd. & providing portions for younger children.

Herbert Randolphe’s br., Bernard Randolphe, had issue: Edmond Randolphe, mentioned thus in the Will (pr. March 21, 1625) of Samuel Argall, who ‘beinge now preste to seme his Maiestie in a voyage intended by sea, … to my niece Katherine Barham’s son, my godson … I give and bequeath unto my loving brother in law Edmond Randolf Esq. the sum of twenty pounds to be paid unto him within six months next after my decease’. The said Bernard’s Will bequesting: ‘To my daughter Elizabeth, wife of Robert Perry, having already advanced her at her marriage with a competent portion, twenty shillings and no greater legacy’ (Barnard Randolph of Biddenden, Kent, gent., Will May 2, 1628, pr. May 27, 1628).

John Lunsford, b. 1551, was the probable cousin of Robert Lunsford of Hollington, whose Will was proved January 24, 1611. He was mentioned in the Will of the said Herbert Lunsford, pr. September 28, 1604: ‘my loving brother-in-law Anthony Apsley … my manor of Filsham (n.b.) in Sussex … and Judith Apsley his wife, my very loving sister … lately devised to Robert Lunsforde of Hollington, yeoman …’. Hollington is situate 17 miles from Wyleigh, in East Hoathly. Robert Lunsford of Hollington instructed: ‘To my sonne William Lunsford, £100, to be paid at the age of one and twenty years … William Bathurst of the Castle (i.e. Hastings, 20 miles from Goudhurst) shall have the bringinge of him upp … to my sonne Robert Lunsford* … reversion of my lands called Chaney … parishe of St. Mihills ( i.e. St. Michael’s parish, Lewes) after my father’s decease … to my sonne Harbert Lunsford,** my farm(s) called Harely and Filsome’.

*Robert Lunsford Jr. was the father of John Lunsford, noticed in this deed: (a) Edward Drew of Tystroffe in West Hoathly yeo. and Ann his wife (b) Samuel Creed of St Clements in Hastings, Clerk and Margaret his wife (c) John Lunsford of St Clements in Hastings, mercer and Mary his wife. (d) Richard Ellis of All Saints in Hastings and Sarah his wife (the wives all being daus. of John Taylor, late of East Grinstead gent. dec’d.).

**Harbert Lunsford had issue: (1) *Robert Lunsford, bapt. April 7, 1622 in Hollington, bur. July 14, 1698, whose son, John Lunsford, born c. 1648, m. Mary Atkins in 1678. (2) John Lunsford, who m. Sarah Avery, in 1646, dau. of Lawrence Avery: ‘Avery, Laurence, of Westfield, Sussex, March 3, 1647-8. Will (105 Pembroke) pr. July 2nd. by dau. Sarah, and her husband John Lunsford (of Hollington)’. She was entitled to a moiety of the properties bought in 1606 and 1613, presumably by descent from Margaret Swanne, her mother (Deeds of Property in Hooe and Bexhill).

*‘Robert Lunsford of Hollington leaves to his wife Mary, and son, John Lunsford, ‘Freeholds and Coppyhold’; his Will pr. July 30, 1698. In her will of September 12, 1695, Sarah (Avery) Lunsford of Hollington, widow, bequeathed her messuage and lands in Hooe to her ‘son Robert for life with remainder to his daughters Sarah, Mary and Ann, subject to an annuity of £5’.

The said Mary Atkins was the dau. of John Atkins junr., ‘To the poor of Brightling (where Micaiah Perry and Thomas Lane held property), 20s. To three daughters, Mary the wife of John Lunsford (m. February 22, 1678; surety  J. Jones of Crowhurst and St. Michael’s’), Ann Adkin (sic) and Elizabeth Adkin, all the testator’s share of the … lands and premises in Crowhurst, co. Sussex, which were devised to him by John Marten of Crowhurst, gent., his father-in-law. To son John Adkin … lands … in Brightling and Battell. To sons Thomas Atkin (sic) and Edward Atkin … lands &c. in Eastgrinsted … settled upon testator by Thomas Dyne of Eastgrinsted, gent., his grandfather’.

This connection to the Averys is likey repeated here: ‘Richard Jordan, Jr. 260 a Johnchecokuck Swamp … being part of Mr. (Bartholomew) Owen’s dividend … for transp. of six persons Mary Hoskins, Jon. Avery, Jon. Cooke, Geo. Miller, Tho. Bernard (Virginia Patent B. 7, p. 369).

B. T. Shannon states – ‘Christopher Lewis bequested to Katherine, dau. of Bartholomew Owen, and to the orphan of the Thomas Harris who d. 1668. Katherine Owen’s brothers, William and Thomas Owen, migrated to Goochland about the same time as Michael Holland and others. Later, William Owen* and some of his circle moved to a part of Halifax that became Pittsylvania. Among them were William Atkins/Atkinson, who married Elizabeth Parker, whose son William Atkinson married William Owen’s daughter, Lydia. Another son of William Owen was Lansford Owen. Elizabeth Cartwright, da. of Robert Cartwright, d. 1676 was under the guardianship of Hezekiah Bunnill, who, on Nov. 4, 1679, presented Walter Flood and Richard Avery (d. December 7, 1685, Surry), as securities for her estate (O.B. 1671-90, p. 273). Elizabeth m. William Rogers, who seems to have m. (1) a dau of Bartholomew Owen. Wm. Rogers lived in the household of widow Joanna Owen, recorded as titheables in 1678; and he was associated with Joshua Proctor, a known son-in-law of Bartholomew Owen. At the same court in which William Rogers receipted for the property of his second wife, Elizabeth Cartwright, Sept. 7, 1686, Robert Owen chose Roger Potter as his guardian instead of William Rogers’ (O.B. 1671-90, p. 528).

William Owen’s wife was very likely a daughter of John Lunsford and Mary Atkin, aforementioned.

This account, although only remotely substantive because of its generality; its lack of consulting the most basic of records, is at least consistent with the nature of kinship associations of this time, and, thus, is likely to be substantially true.

The true importance of the families under consideration is not their genealogical record, but one of the nature of the forces which shaped it – kinship associations overlaid by religious and political ones.

Genealogy of this time is nothing much more than a record of the poltics of survival couched in different terms; a universal constant. It was not always the case that people believed the religious and political doctrines they espoused, but if survival and advancement depended on being ‘The Vicar of Bray’, then so it was.
copyright m stanhope 2016